We are teaming up again with two other chapters for this event. Join the Conejo Valley, San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Chapters on Tuesday, January 8th to learn and enjoy a presentation by Brandeis Professor Ryan McKittrick .

The American Musical from the 19th Century to “Hamilton”

Professor McKittrick’s presentation includes the evolution of the American musical from its roots in the 19th century through the 20th century (“Showboat,” “Porgy and Bess,” “South Pacific,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Cabaret”) to current Broadway hits, including “Waitress” and “Hamilton.” His talk will feature scenes from famous film adaptations, as well as clips from more recent productions.

Ryan McKittrick is Assistant Professor of Theater Arts at Brandeis University and the Director of Artistic Programs/Dramaturg at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.). Working with directors from around the world, he has served as the lead dramaturg on more than thirty professional productions of dramas, musicals, and operas, over half of which were world premieres. His articles on theater have appeared in many publications.

Our holiday program will take place on Tuesday,
December 18 from 1:00 -3:00 PM
at the Marvin E. Smith Community Room,
Thousand Oaks Library 1401 E. Janss Rd.,
Thousand Oaks, CA

Refreshments will be served.

Versatile and melodic, from Jazz to Pop and Broadway to Classical, the lilting voice of Coloratura Soprano Bonnie Bowden has graced stages and media across the globe. She began singing at the age of three. Throughout her Texas childhood she performed in schools, churches, talent shows and beauty contests. Her budding talent and promising young spirit were recognized with Duncanville High School accolades as a four time gold medalist in Solo Classical Performance at the University of Texas Austin Interscholastic League competitions.

Bonnie’s first professional singing job was at Six Flags Over Texas. Moving to California, she landed a solo position at Disneyland on the Sound Castle Stage in Tomorrowland. From there she joined Sergio Mendes and toured the world many times over with Brasil 77 and Brasil 88. Her TV credits include several appearances on Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Dinah Shore and the Midnight Special.

Equally at home on stage or in studio, her vocal solos have been featured on many recordings throughout the years. A multilingual performer, she sings in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Latin and Portuguese. Her recording of Victor Herbert’s “Indian Summer” arranged by the legendary Sammy Nestico and was nominated for a GRAMMYÂ® in the Best Female Pop Vocal category.

She currently sings with big band jazz orchestras, small jazz ensembles, symphony orchestras and performs a one woman show featuring a variety of music from Jazz to Pop and Broadway to Classical.

Any amount over $3 is considered a donation to benefit Brandeis University’s Magnify the Mind Campaign in support of medical research to find cures for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS.

We are very excited to announce that the BNC Conejo Valley chapter has won the Louis Brandeis Award for 2018. This award recognizes the achievements of the chapter in various areas over the past year including meeting financial and membership goals, running study groups with Brandeis authored study guides, hosting a University on Wheels program, serving the community, and participating in leadership development training, among other criteria.

We would like to thank all of our members and chapter leadership for their support of Brandeis University and enthusiastic participation in chapter activities. We look forward to spending another wonderful year learning, exploring, and supporting Brandeis together.

The seven days of Sukkot – celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the Four Kinds, and rejoicing – are followed by Simchat Torah.

Sukkot – when we expose ourselves to the elements in greenery – covered huts – commemorates G-d sheltering our ancestors as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Four Kinds express our unity and our belief in G-d’s omnipresence.

Coming after the solemn High Holidays, it is a time of joy and happiness!

THE CONEJO VALLEY CHAPTER INVITES YOU
TO ATTEND AN ORIENTATION COFFEE
ESPECIALLY DESIGNED
TO SHOW NEW AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
ALL WE HAVE TO OFFER.

As a current or future member of the greatest BNC chapter that there is, you should know all that is available to you. We know that you have met many of our wonderful members who are so very dedicated to the research and scholarship of Brandeis University. But have you found out all that we can offer YOU with our two exciting annual luncheons per year, our informative special events, and, of course, our stimulating study groups? You can even sign up for your favorite study groups now.

We are planning this orientation for Monday, September 24 at 9:30 A.M. for socializing.
The meeting will begin at 10:00. It will be at the home of our gracious member, Elaine Blonder, and we will fill you in on all the areas of Brandeis Conejo Valley Chapter that you can take advantage of and enjoy.

By special invitation of Brandeis Alumni and Friends, we invite the chapter to celebrate Leonard Bernstein at 100 at the Skirball Cultural Center. Featuring a special “Leonard Bernstein at 100” exhibit and a talk by Brandeis’ Art Director, Ingrid Schorr, we will learn about Bernstein’s illustrious career and relationship with Brandeis University. The exhibit is comprised of photos, letters, scores, costumes, and set items which make up a comprehensive picture of Bernstein’s life and career as a conductor and composer.

This event runs from 6-9 pm and is comprised of a cocktail reception, tour of the exhibit, talk with Ingrid Schorr, and closing desserts and coffee.

From December 6th to the 12th, Nobel laureates from around the world gathered in Sweden to receive their awards. During the week known as Nobel Week, winners attended dinners, ceremonies, and concerts in their honor. They met Swedish royalty, delivered lectures to be broadcast across the globe, and received their Nobel medals and diplomas as VIP guests of the Swedish government. Swept up in the excitement were Michael Rosbash and Jeff Hall, biologists from the Brandeis community.

Rosbash, currently a professor in Brandeis’ biology department, and Hall, a professor emeritus of biology, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Michael Young of Rockefeller University. While winning the most prestigious prize in the world and the various perks that come with it (such as a personal attaché, first-class trip to Sweden, and intellectual celebrity status) is exciting, it is far from the main reason for Rosbash and Hall’s work. Their discovery of the fundamental workings of the circadian rhythm have far reaching implications, especially in the medical world. The circadian rhythm, also known as the body clock, has connections to many bodily functions including sleep cycles, hormone balances, enzyme production, body temperature, and metabolism. This internal clock is also connected to several neurodegenerative diseases. Studies have linked chronic sleep disorders with higher levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s, while Parkinson’s is often marked by sleep disorders. Three quarters of patients with Parkinson’s disease have a sleep disorder and disordered sleeping may be an early indicator of the disease. It is necessary to understand the body’s underlying workings in order to develop targeted treatments. Foundational research like Rosbash and Hall’s is critical for advancing medical knowledge.

As the scientific and medical communities, and the world acknowledge the significance of Rosbash and Hall’s discovery, the two biologists recognize Brandeis University’s role in their research as a whole. Not only was Brandeis the place they met, but its collaborative, intellectual environment and financial support allowed them to perform critical research. In a time when pharmaceutical companies rely heavily on research coming out of universities; government funding for scientific research is more competitive than ever; and research in flashier, more profitable areas is more attractive; Brandeis provides a haven for an exploratory approach to the base questions, without which we can never fully answer the bigger questions. Brandeis University’s attention to foundational research and specialization in neuroscience fosters an environment of research and discovery for both faculty and students. Cognizant of the costs of research, the University provides financial support in the form of grants, fellowships, and scholarships, allowing minds like Roshash and Hall’s to stretch and push the limits of conventional science.

We must also recognize the role the Brandeis National Committee plays in Brandeis’ science. Through funding campaigns, and general support for the libraries and scientific journals, BNC members ensure Brandeis scientists have access to the resources and stability necessary to perform quality work. The Sustaining the Mind Fund for research in neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases and scholarships in science specifically targets the needs of Brandeis’ science departments. Without the generous support of BNC members research into these diseases and progress towards their treatment and cure would be significantly slowed, and the future less secure. So in addition to congratulating Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey Hall on their Nobel Prize, the Brandeis community and the Brandeis National Committee would like to recognize the role our members play and extend our thanks for your support in this meaningful discovery.